Our first grant award from the Finger Lakes Climate Fund went to the Ellis Family in December 2010. Michael, Sherri, and their daughter, Emily, love their home in the woods, but their wood-burning stove was making Sherri’s allergies worse and it was hard to stay warm because of the drafts and lack of insulation. Michael’s schoolteacher salary needed some assistance in order to make the recommended energy improvements, so their contractor, Tompkins Community Action, suggested they apply for a local carbon offset grant from Sustainable Tompkins.

The work scope for the project was estimated to reduce 50.4 tons of CO2 emissions over 20 years by installing an efficient wood pellet stove, insulating the attic, and sealing a variety of leaks in the house. After review by our grant-making committee of Ian Shapiro, Mark Pierce, Kathy Schlather, and Gay Nicholson, and approval by the Board of Directors, we were happy to award the first grant of $1008 to the Ellis Family.